Chapter 423: Chapter 423: Turning the Knife on Oneself
Wen Qing received a call from Du Qian and thought he had some new dirt to use against Lin Zhiyi again.
But as soon as the call connected, it was his wailing cries for help.
“Du Qian, we agreed—you get the job done, I’ll give you what you want. But now you’ve achieved nothing and got played by Lin Zhiyi. I can’t help you.”
“You! You’re trying to burn the bridge after crossing it!” Du Qian’s breathing turned heavy with anger.
Wen Qing moved his phone farther away, sneering with disgust: “Burn the bridge? What evidence do you have proving I told you to deal with Lin Zhiyi? Clearly, you’re full of malicious schemes, trying to control Lin Zhiyi and her mother. Or do you want the police to investigate you?”
It was only then that Du Qian realized he had been played by Wen Qing.
Grinding his teeth, he said, “President Wen, this won’t end here.”
Wen Qing sneered dismissively, “With you?”
Not allowing Du Qian the chance to respond further, Wen Qing hung up the phone outright.
Du Qian stared at his phone, his face twisted with rage.
“Wretched scum! All of them, scum! I’ll never let this go!”
…
Hotel.
Lin Zhiyi had barely managed to nap before her phone woke her up. She calmed Xingxing down and then stepped out of the bedroom to answer the call.
“Miss Lin, your goods have been delivered to the hotel. Please come check them.”
“Alright.”
The jewelry she had designed was ready.
Since she had been staying at the hotel recently, the completed jewelry had to be sent here.
Wary of reporters downstairs, she specifically called Liao Yi to accompany her as cover.
After receiving the items, the two quickly returned to the room.
Liao Yi looked at the meticulously sealed box and curiously asked, “Let me see what treasure you’ve crafted this time?”
She had seen Lin Zhiyi’s jewelry designs before.
They felt so breathtakingly beautiful that they almost seemed to exist on a different plane from reality.
Lin Zhiyi smiled at Liao Yi and handed her a pair of gloves.
With gloves on, Liao Yi eagerly opened the box.
In an instant, Monet’s “Water Lilies” flashed in her mind.
The staggered curves of varying sizes resembled rippling sunlight on a lake, or delicate petals.
The intricate latticework and brushed detailing complemented layers of green, blue, and pink gemstones that bloomed like countless flowers.
Lin Zhiyi put on gloves and carefully held the necklace, inspecting it.
“I switched to a different craftsman this time. He’s young and probably lacks experience—still just a hair off.”
“You… noticed that? Should I try it on?”
Liao Yi shamelessly reached out.
The allure of jewelry was simply irresistible to women.
Knowing she was joking, Lin Zhiyi gently swatted her hand away. “This is a wedding gift ordered by the mother from that mother-daughter duo during the vacation at the guesthouse. Don’t wear it. You can pick anything you like from my store.”
Though it lacked any large, costly stones, the mother’s love for her daughter was beyond measure.
After examining it, Lin Zhiyi messaged the craftsman, suggesting improvements in certain areas.
The craftsman agreed to her requests right away.
She returned the necklace to its box.
Opening another box, she revealed five platinum necklaces adorned with diamonds. Each necklace featured a surprising reversed design in one section.
Like the way a necklace might shift after someone sleeps with it on.
The straight lines were clean and sharp, yet the reversed sections added a rebellious twist.
The customer had requested this—not wanting something overly formal.
Liao Yi exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! The diamonds on the pendants? They’re bigger than my eyes! This could buy my life, right?”
“Hmm, it could probably buy both of ours together,” Lin Zhiyi joked. “These are the client’s own main diamonds, and tomorrow morning the bodyguards will come retrieve them.”
“Bodyguards?” Liao Yi glanced sideways. “I quit my job and came here for a short-term rental to paint, but instead of finishing my artwork, I’ve had my eyes opened.”
Lin Zhiyi didn’t say much, instead smiling as she photographed the jewelry and sent it to the client, then locked it back in the safe box.
This client had been introduced by Xue Man.
Over the past three years, Lin Zhiyi had never abandoned her dreams.
While undergoing acupuncture treatment with Chinese medicine doctors to heal her hand, she also continued her studies at Gang City Art University.
Though Gang City wasn’t large, it was also known by another name—the City of Art.
Art transcends boundaries, and each understanding is an elevation.
Each year, countless artists flock to Gang City.
Over a year ago, she mustered the courage to send her hand-drawn design sketches to Xue Man.
Xue Man immediately replied, saying she had been waiting for her all along.
Lin Zhiyi had burst into tears at that moment.
She knew all her efforts would never be in vain.
Gradually, Xue Man started introducing her to clients—people who were generous and spontaneous.
After all, she knew she still had a ways to go before returning to the high-end luxury jewelry circuit.
Liao Yi watched reluctantly as she sealed the box, asking, “Zhiyi, you’re so amazing. Why are you still holed up here?”
“Do you know how many incredible talents there are each year? Just look at this year’s rookie competition. President Xue’s studio produced the biggest dark horse—a designer who swept domestic and international awards and was hailed as a prodigy. Not to mention countless other geniuses. Talent is important, but opportunity is just as crucial.”
Lin Zhiyi had missed her most vital moment.
Now all she could do was keep moving forward.
Liao Yi nodded earnestly, saying, “Let’s both work hard. I even consulted a fortune-teller who said my art would bring a turning point in my life…”
Suddenly, she paused and added, “Hmm? Would this count as a turning point? I thought I’d gain fame, but I nearly lost my life instead.”
Lin Zhiyi chuckled, “There’s lobster at the restaurant tonight.”
“Alright, my life’s not so bad after all,” Liao Yi responded with satisfaction, nodding. Then she saw Lin Zhiyi pull out a few bracelets and asked curiously, “Zhiyi, why is it that I’ve never seen you design rings? I remember some couple wanted you to design their engagement rings before, but you turned them down?”
Lin Zhiyi froze while inspecting a bracelet, answering directly, “I’ve never been married. How could I design one?”
“But you’ve been engaged, haven’t you? Surely you had a ring? Mr. Sang’s engagement ring must’ve been huge, right? So romantic! So happy!” Liao Yi began fantasizing aloud.
The two were so engrossed, they hadn’t noticed the door had opened.
“It was quite large. Want to take a look? Maybe feel the romance and happiness for yourself.”
A man’s cold, low voice echoed from the doorway.
Liao Yi’s fantasies froze, as if something was choking her. She immediately stood at attention, blurting out, “No need. No ring could possibly be larger than Third Young Master’s wedding ring, right?”
“…”
Lin Zhiyi glanced at Liao Yi as if to silently ask, “Do you even know what you’re saying? His wedding ring is on another woman’s finger.”
Liao Yi clapped her hand over her mouth, reacting quickly: “Haha, I meant the future wedding ring for the two of you. Sounds like Xingxing woke up. I’ll go check on her.”
She made her escape in a hurry.
Lin Zhiyi didn’t turn back to look at the man but continued pretending to nonchalantly inspect the items on the table.
Until he sat quietly by her side, resting his chin slightly in his hand, staring at her.
“Lin Zhiyi, you’ve counted the pearls on this bracelet no fewer than five times now.”
Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips, nervously searching for an excuse: “I’m being cautious.”
The man reached out, taking the bracelet from her hands, and placed a steaming ceramic bowl in front of her.
Lin Zhiyi asked in confusion, “What’s this?”
“You’re afraid of the cold—angelica lamb soup.”
Gong Chen lifted the lid, revealing a bowl of piping hot lamb soup.
Lin Zhiyi paused momentarily before accepting it and began drinking.
As she glanced up, she noticed the wound on Gong Chen’s finger.
“You made this?”
“Hmm, learned it on the spot. Does it taste good?”
Gong Chen retrieved his hand, but Lin Zhiyi immediately grabbed it.
“Did you treat your wound?”
“No, it’s nothing,” Gong Chen replied casually.
“At least disinfect it; wait here.”
Lin Zhiyi got up to fetch her medical kit.
Gong Chen raised his hand to inspect the wound, then looked towards Lin Zhiyi’s hurried figure with a faint smile.
Then his gaze shifted to Chen Jin.
“Wipe that expression off your face.”
“Yes, Third Young Master.”
Of course, Chen Jin wouldn’t dare be critical—he was practically ready to applaud. Gong Chen was the first to attempt winning his wife’s heart by hurting his own hand.